shoots 1 of 2

Definition of shootsnext
present tense third-person singular of shoot
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2
as in blasts
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers train extensively to learn to shoot accurately and quickly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in photographs
to take a photograph of shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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shoots

2 of 2

noun

plural of shoot

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shoots
Verb
Like, no one shoots a stereo film like James. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 If the minor shoots themselves or someone else, causing serious injuries, penalties can max out at 10 years in prison and a $7,500 fine. Jack Springgate, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026 Sesko shoots from sensible areas in the final third and in decent enough volume to be a persistent threat (something Rasmus Hojlund struggled with in his second season at the club). Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026 In the video, Gordon shoots hoops, dances freely, and swings her guitar around in circles, mirroring her unexpected freedom in the recording studio. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026 Not who scored what or who shoots how much. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026 Macey has since taken on the role of styling baby Dianna, while David shoots and publishes the photos. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Jan. 2026 The expansion Raptors shoots 0-for-3 from the foul line. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 The officer shoots a second time. Claire Galofaro, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Don’t want tender young shoots popping out when another polar vortex is right around the corner. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026 And holding on a bit longer to see how Puma’s turnaround progresses could turn into a benefit because evidence of some green shoots could raise bids for the brand. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026 That’s played out across numerous collaborations over the last few decades, with pop culture-defining shoots lensed by Steven Klein and tours that followed costumed by the house. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026 Instead, the sectors that are seeing green shoots are those which require vocational or skills, jobs that historically have not required high-level academic qualifications. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026 New Growth New growth, including fresh buds and tiny green shoots, is an excellent indicator that the plant will thrive at home. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026 There’s 16 seconds left and a player shoots — misses — the Bulldogs get the ball, shoot — another miss. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 The shoots will feature the main cast’s family and friends gathering to celebrate an anniversary. Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026 Productions are increasingly consolidating multi-day shoots, suggesting greater efficiency and stronger coordination across agencies, MOME said. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoots
Verb
  • Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, in which former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick faces a major snub, and Virginia Commonwealth University fires an employee after ICE videos.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Three law enforcement experts told CNN the pattern of shots could be indicative of contagious fire, a term used to describe when an officer fires a weapon in response to the sound of another officer’s gunfire.
    Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That context is probably enough to appreciate some of the film’s most delightful asides, such as a profile of the man behind GumBusters — a business that power blasts old gum off the streets of NYC — and a brief aside into the temporary venues that host Wilson’s favorite DIY noise shows.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
  • As Sons points out, plants want consistent warmth, not blasts of heat, which can cause scorching.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His eldest daughter, Addison, 23, pops in at one point to wave at the Zoom screen.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Sparkling Orange Nº1, a low-intervention, organic orange (orange colored due to skin contact, no oranges used) bubbly from Alsace that pops with orange peel and juicy peach, then drifts into jasmine, herbs, and gentle spice.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Dangerously cold temperatures will set in for several days as arctic air rushes behind the storm.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Defenseman Caleb Racki was also a major standout for the Spartans, disrupting a handful of promising rushes the Cougars could have scored on otherwise.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Owens started the unwrapping process and opens all his gifts, and Biles flimed and photographs his reactions.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
  • The images that Buckman photographs — family and community members in bedrooms, on couches, under quilts— become compositions painted and stitched into vintage cloth.
    Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • With its family friction and its outsiders’ view of a fast-growing city in a young, postwar country, Shame and Money casts a piercing, sorrowful gaze at the ground-level effects of globalization.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Now Riley, at age 80, casts for his last great whale.
    Greg Cote January 30, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Both sides failed to score after their respective penalty shouts, which means Arsenal slightly extended their gap at the top of the Premier League to seven points after Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United earlier in the day.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Hilliker shouts as her family applauds them.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
  • The shareable treat features Galactic Brownie ice cream, fudge drizzle, M&Ms candies, and Halloween sprinkles atop a double fudge brownie crust.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shoots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoots. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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